ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Chirurgica 2003 April;58(2):175-80

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Endoscopic palliative tratment of the common bile duct at the hepatic hilum. Results in 583 patients treated in a single Center over a 10-year period

De Palma G. D., Persico F., Masone S., Labianca O., Mastantuono L., Di Marino M., Persico G.

Background. The outcomes of endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant stenoses at the hepatic hilum were retrospectively evaluated.
Methods. From January 1990 to June 2001, 583 patients, 368 males, average age 69±18.5 years, were recruited. Endoscopic procedure consisted of insertion of 1 ore multiple stents, plastic or metallic, across the stricture, under mild sedation.
Results. Successful stent insertion was achieved in 518/583 (88.8%) patients and successful drainage in 474 (81.3%) patients. Early complications were observed in 101 (17.3%) patients with related-mortality of 17 (2.9%) patients. Late complications occurred in 39.9% of patients. Survival was of 189 days, on average.
Conclusions. Endoscopic palliation should be the initial management of choice for malignant biliary stenoses at the hepatic hilum.